A corpora



W. S. MAYER.

ELECTRIC SWITCHING MECHANISM.

APPUCATION mp0 NOV. 20. I918.

1,322,922., Patented Nov. 25, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I. 2 3 2' W. S. MAYER.

ELECTRIC SWITCHING MECHANISM.

. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20.1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Patented Nov. 25, 1919.

Inventor:

Wylterilfcgyer;

w. s; MAYER.

ELECTRIC SWITCHING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20. 19w.

1,322,922.. Patented Nov. 25, 1919.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

J'nveruior aZZ'er .XMzyer,

WALTER S. MAYER,

OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNfiYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO ELECTRIC SERVICE SUPPLIES COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORA- TION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRIC SWITCHING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 25, 1919.

Application filed November 20, 1918. Serial No. 263,244.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Wnrrnn S. MAYER, a citizen of the United States, re'siding'in the city of Philadelphia, county 0]": Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Electric Switching Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to switching. mechanism adapted for general use but it is designed particularlyfor controlling electric headlights.

Its object, generally, is to provide sturdy electrical switching mechanism having the minimum tendency to get out of order or position and which can be used conveniently for controlling one or more oppositely disposed headlights, either by cuttingthem out or dimming them. A special objectis to provide improved means disposed, operat ng and held in a plane parallel 'to a supporting base for effecting the switching functions,

whether in connection with headlights or otherwise.

Usual applications of the invention are-to lights placed at one or both ends of a locomotive in combination with a switch in the locomotive cab by which the engineer controls such lights. I

The nature and advantages of the improvement will appear more fully from the following description and the accompanying drawings in illustration of types and applications thereof.

In the drawings, of a switch comprised Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same with parts shown in section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a plan view of a second form of the switch'in modification of that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, 4 is an elevation-show- Figure 1 is a plan view in my improvements,

. ing parts in section taken on the line H of Fig.3, Fig. 5 is a plan view of a third form of switch in further modification of that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, Fig. 6 is an elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view in illustration of an application of the improvements, and Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view in illustration of a second application of the improvements.

The switch illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is a preferred form of the device for certain uses and'comprises a base l on which'is fixed a conducting bearing 2 by these-row 3 and 5", between the plates 5, which are connected to such handle on opposite sides thereof in insulated relation. to the detent and spring.

A segment of bent controlling member 9 I is fixed tothe base 1 by the bolts 10 and 11;

the segment being disposed symmetrically with respect to the fulcrum 6, lying between the plates 5 having the median notch 9 for engaging the detent 7, and serving to hold the lever against lateral movement as well as to control its action in its plane of oscillation parallel to the base. Contact members 12 and 13, having the respective ofi'set members 12 and 13, are fixed to the base 1 by the respective screws let and 15 and bolts 16 and 17 respectively. symmetrically with relation to the fulcrum being adapted for entry alternately between the parts 5 in close frictional or wedging relation when the lever 5 is swung to the limit of its movements against the ends of the segment 9. The relations of the parts 5 to the parts 12 and 13 are such that good contact isinsured since such parts are not liable to the usual tendency of switch members to get out of place by springing or bending away from'their correct positions.

Resistance 18 has its ends clamped in the firm conducting bearings 19 and 20 which are fixed to the base 1 by concealed screws 21 and 22, the resistance being held thereby parallel to the base with its ends in proximity to the contacts 12 and 13. Conductors 23 and 24:, concealed in and protected by the base, connect the respective bolts or posts 16 and 17 with the screws 23 and 2 1 and, therethrough, with the bearings 19 and 20 and the opposite ends of the resistance 18.

It will be understood that the posts or bolts & and-l7 are directly connected through the parts 2, 5 and 13, whenthe parts 5 and 13 are in contact, and when the parts '5 6, the parts 12' and- 13- engage the part 12 the posts or bolts 4 and 17 are indirectly connected through the parts 2, 5, 12,16, 23, 21, 19, 18,20, 22, and 24, the resistance being thrown thereby into the circuit.

When it is desired to hold the circuit open, the lever 5 is thrown to the median position where it is held by the engagement of the detent 7 in the notch 9.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the resistance 18 and its connections are omitted. Hence, when the lever 5 is moved to position for engaging the plates 5 with the part 12 of the member 12, direct connection is made between the terminal posts 4 and 16 through the parts 2, 5, and 12; when the lever is moved to position for engaging the plates 5 with the part 13 of the member 13, direct connection is made between the terminal posts 4 and 17 through the parts 2, 5', and 13, and when the lever is in the median position with the detent 7 in engagement with the notch 9 of the segment 9 both circuits are held open In the modification illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, an addition is made to the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2 by fixing to the base a conducting bearing 25 by a screw 26 and a binding post or bolt 27 which is connected by a conductor 28, concealed in the base, with a bolt 4, the bearing 25 having an offset part 25. A switch lever 29 is connected to the part 25 in rocking relation by the bolt 30 which passes through the levers bifur-- cated conducting members 29 disposed on opposite sides of the part 25. A contact member 30 is connected to the base by the screw 31 and the bolt 32, the member having a part 30' offset from the base so as to enter in close frictional contact between the parts 29 when the lever is thrown to the position illustrated.

A segment 33 is fixed to the base and lies between the members 29, being provided with a notch 33 for engaging the detent 34 carried in the insulating handle 29" and pressed forward by the spring 35.

The several parts of this auxiliary switch are thus held firmly in correct relation parallel to the base.

7 When the lever 29 is in the position illustrated, the posts 4 and 32 are connected through the conductors 28, 27, 25, 29", and 30, the posts 4 and 16 being connected as previously described through the parts 2, 5, and 12 when thelever 5 is in the left hand position. When the lever 29 is thrown to the right, with the detent 34 engaged in the notch 33, the circuit between the posts 27 and 32 is held open. The further connections and actions of this mechanism will appear hereafter.

In the operation of the invention as illustrated in Fig. 7, a turbine operated electric generator 35 supplies current to the head light lamp 36; the auxiliary lamps 37, 37, and 37 and the cab lamps 38 of a locomotive. Current flows from a generator 35 through the conductor 40 to the lamp 36 and thence through the return conductor 41; from the conductor 40 through the branch conductors 42, 42 and 4 containing the but when the lever 5 engages the contact 12 sothat the resistance 18 is thrown into circuit, the lamp 36 is dimmed while the remaining lamps burn with normal brilliancy.

In the operation of the invention as illus, trated in Fig. 8, the generator 35 is connect ed in circuit with the lamps 36, 37, 37 37 and 38 by means of the respective conductors 40, 41, 42, 42', 42", 43 and 44, with the modifications in the connections of the conductors 41 and 43 for adaptation to the use of a second head light lamp 46 together with the auxiliary lamp 47. Here the conductor 43 is connected by the conductor 45 with the contact member 30, and the latter is connected through the conductor 48, resistance 18 and conductors 49, 2, 28, and 25 to the lever 29. The lamps 46 and 47 are inrcir- .cuits comprising the conductors 50 and 50, the former connecting the conductor 44 with 50, 50', 46, 47,12, 5, 2, 2s, 25, 29, so and 45' to the conductor 43. Allof the lamps excepting 36 are, now burning at their normal capacity. When the lever 29 is thrown ofi the point 30, currentfrom the conductor 50 flows through the parts 12, 5, 2, 49, 18, 48, 30 and 45 to 43, the lamps 46 and 47 being dimmed by thus throwing the resistance 18 into circuit therewith. When the lever 5 is thrown off the the lamps 46 and 47 are broken,and, when the leveris thrown on the point 13, the lever 29 being on the point 30, the conductor 41 is connected with the conductor 43 through the parts 13, '5, 2, 28, 25, 29, the normal current flows through the lamps 36, 37, 37, and 37". When the lever 5 is point 12, the circuits through 30 and 45 and V ll through the parts 13, 5, 2, i9, 18, 48, 30.

and 45' to the ,conductor4e3, thus throwing the resistance into the circuit of the lamp 36 which is dimmed thereby;

It will be understood that various modifications maybe made in the details of the construction without effecting the functions of my device an'd-hence'I do'not desire to be limited to the specific structure shown and described.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a. switcl'iing mechanism, the combination with an insulating base, of a "conducting member fixed thereto, a conducting lever fulcrumed to said member so as to oscillate parallel to said base, one of said conductors having a bifurcated connection with the other, a contact fixed to said base for engaging said lever in conducting relation, and a segment connected to said base and engaging said lever so as to control its movements.

2. In a switching mechanism, the combination with an insulating base, of a stationary conducting device fixed thereto, an oscillatory bifurcated conducting device fulcrumed to said stationary device so as to act substantially parallel to said base, and a contact device fixed to said base and adapted to be engaged by the bifurcations of said oscillatory device.

3. In a switching mechanisnn'the combination with an insulating base, of a stationary conducting device fixed thereto, a conducting lever fulcrumed to said stationary device so as to oscillate substantially parallel to said base, a contact device fixed to said base for engagement with said lever, and a segment fixed to said base for controlling the action of said lever, said segment and lever providing connecting means whereby the former prevents the latter from moving laterally to its plane of oscillation in either direction. 7

4:. In a switching mechanism, the combination with an insulating base, of a conducting member fixed thereto and having an offset part, a lever fulcrumed on said member and having connected conducting parts placed on opposite sides of said part first named, and a second conducting member fixed to said base and having an offset part adapted to be engaged between said parts of said lever. Y

5. In a switching mechanism, the combination of a lever having conducting bifurcations, a conducting member to which an end of said lever is fulcrumed, a contact member adapted for entry in wedging relation between said bifurcations, and a segment adapted for preventing the lateral movement of said lever in either direction.

(3. In a switching mechanism, the comlever 29 is oifthebination ofza conductingmember having an offset part, a lever having conducting bifurcations: fulcriuned to said. n'icrnber on opposite sides oflsaid part,;and contact members, having offset ,parts between which said lever is adaptedL-to'oscillate: and which are.

adapted for entry between saidbifurcations.

7.111 1a switchinganechanism, the combination ofua: conducting member, arbifurca ted lever fulcrumed on said member, a contact member adapted for entry in wedgingrelation between: saidbifurcatioim and, a controlling segment disposed .betweensaid bifurcations. 1. I

S. In a switching mechanism, the combination of a conducting member, a lever having conducting bifurcations fulcrumed to said member, a contact member adapted for entry in wedging relation between said bifurcations, and a segment disposed between said bifurcations, said segment and lever having co-acting means for holding the latter.

9. In a switching mechanism, the combination with a base, of a conducting member fixed to said base, a lever having conducting bifurcations fulcrumed on said member, conducting members between which said lever is adapted to oscillate to connect them electrically with said member, a resistance device, conducting devices fixed to said base and clamping the ends of said resistance device, and means comprising a conducting device concealed in said base for connecting one of said conducting devices with one of said conducting members, whereby said resistance is cut in and out of circuit through said lever.

10. In a switching mechanism, the combination with a base, of a conducting member fixed to said base, a lever having conducting bifurcations fulcrumed on said member to oscillate parallel with said base, a pair of conducting members fixed to said base with which said lever is adapted to make contact alternately, a second conducting lever, a: conducting member fixed to said base on which said second lever is fulcrumed to oscillate parallel with said base, a conducting member fixed to' said base and adapted to be engaged and disengaged by said second lever, a resistance device, conducting devices clamping the ends of said resistance device and fixing it to said base, and conducting means connecting said conducting devices with conducting members aforesaid, whereby said resistance is adapted to be thrown in circuit through said lever first named when engaging one of said pair of conducting members.

11. In a switching mechanism, the combination with a base, of a conducting member fixed thereto, a lever having conducting bifurcations fulcrumed on said member so as to oscillate parallel to said base, a con- 4 V v V I I 1,322,922

ducting member fixed to said base and with which said lever is adapted to make and break contact, a resistance device, conducting devices for clamping, said resistance device-and fixing it to said base, and 'means forconnectmg one oi sald clamplng dGVICBS with said conducting member second named.

12. In a switching mechanism, the combination with a contact, of a lever, adapted for engaging said contact, a spring pressed detent carried by said lever, and a segment with which said lever is connected so as to prevent its 1 movement--transversely to its plane of oscillation and with Which said detent is adapted to be connected so as to prevent the oscillatory movement of said lever. r I V 13. In a switch mechamsm, the combmation With a base, of acontact fixed to said base, alever fulcrumed on said baseso as to osclllate parallel thereto .for engaging and disengaging said contact, and a segment In testimony whereof I have hereunto set.

my name this 18th day offNovember, 1918.

WVALTER S. MAYER. 

